A romance junkie on the search for social justice

Q+A with Model/Author Mark Perini with a #Giveaway

Hello there all you lovely little readers and lovers of book. How are you on this May day?

Today we’re going to have a chat with the co-author of the novel Halfway Perfect, a book about the darker side of the model world that has touches of romance. Who are these authors? Mark Perini and Julie Cross. You might know Perini from Ford models and Julie from the Tempestseries or the Letters to Nowhereseries.

Let’s go ahead and get started with the Q+A Perini.

*Mark is the picture on the left and Julie is on the right

1. Did being a model in real life help you write this book?

When we were first brainstorming Halfway Perfect a lot of the stories and background came from my own experiences in the fashion industry. To me some of the allure of our story is that it’s an insider story. You can see the dark side of fashion. The book is of course a work of fiction, but it could all happen in real life.

2. What was the most awkward time you had in front of the camera?

I was shooting an editorial and the photographer wanted to capture the moment before a kiss. He explained the shot to me beforehand, so I knew what I was getting myself into. But I’m not sure he mentioned it to the girl I was shooting with. I’m almost positive it was her first job and she was trying to make a good impression. When we were just about ready to shoot I introduced myself, because we hadn’t met previously and we assumed the position.

As soon as the photographer clicked off his first frame she went in for tongue just full on tonsil hockey. I was so shocked I put my hands up and stepped back, so she grabbed my face and held on. I’m pretty sure there are pictures of that laying around some office somewhere still making people laugh.

3. What was the coolest place you’ve visited from your travels?

Thailand really stands out to me. I felt very at home the whole time. My friend lives there and he really showed us the local experience in Bangkok. Then we went south to Krabi and it was truly paradise. It really felt like I was in Jurassic Park. I kept waiting for a Pterodactyl to come flying out of the Jungle and chase us down. Thailand is so ancient and untouched, it really reminds you of where we all came from.

4. For all the wannabe models or writers out there- what advice do you have?

My Dad gave me this advice he said “You only get one shot at life— you might as well do what makes you happy, because you only die with regrets.” That offset my trajectory and has been wisdom that I’ve carried with me ever since. Find what you love and keep on keepin’ on.

Bestselling author Julie Cross teams up with Ford model Mark Perini to pen a poignant and gritty YA novel about love and the dark side of modeling and the fashion industry

Eve’s time as a fashion model nearly destroyed her-now she’s determined to build a career behind the camera lens. But landing a coveted photography internship brings her face to face with her dark past-and her ex.

While Eve is snapping pictures, up-and-coming male model Alex is launching his career-which, for him, involves maintaining a fake relationship with his co-star, Elana.

But Alex is falling for Eve, and Eve won’t let herself get hurt again. If Alex can pull off a fake love with Elana, can he convince Eve to risk a secret affair with him?

About the Authors

Mark Periniis a New York City-based author debuting his first YA novel, Halfway Perfect. Additionally, Mark is a featured author in the NA anthology, Fifty First Times.

Mark began his career as an international fashion model ten years ago, while simultaneously obtaining a business degree from Seton Hall University. He has a passion for traveling the world, and he’s made a blood pact with friends to see all seven wonders of the ancient world before he’s thirty. Four down, three to go.

Julie Cross is the international bestselling author of the Tempest series, a young adult science fiction trilogy. Julie lives in Central Illinois with her husband and three children. Her knowledge of the modeling and fashion world comes from viewings of the movies The Devil Wears Prada, and Zoolander, and her unwavering devotion to the first three seasons of Ugly Betty. On a recent trip to NYC, she also took the time to walk past both the Gucci and Prada stores, spending at least 15 seconds viewing items through the windows.

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